Hi, will be our first time going to Portland Oregon, heard alot of good things about it in terms of eateries, we will be there just for the weekend (adult only trip). Can you please recommend some nice eateries? We are foodies and not picky about food, we can eat anything. where is a good place to stay? which hotel is decent? we want something centrally located to everything, and pretty much just want to just relax, eat and shopping, I want to take advantage of the shopping there since it's tax free. Where is a good place to shop for high end stuff? Also, would you recommend Multnomah Falls? Also, do you think we'll need to rent a car? Thanks in advance!

If it were me, I'd be heading for the Saturday Market for at least a couple of hours, hit a food vendor or two and pick up some interesting hand-made pottery, jewelry, or some type of art. https://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.c...photo-gallery/

If you want to go out to see Multnomah Falls, you should rent a car at the airport depending on when your flight arrives. Head east on I-84 without going into Portland. There is a parking lot in the median of I-84 (left exit) to visit the falls. Otherwise, take the TriMet red line into the city. TriMet is good including light rail, buses and a streetcar line in the downtown. It is $2.50 for a single trip or $5 for a full 24 hours.
My favorite lunch spot is Ken & Zukes Jewish Deli which is about 2 blocks south of Powell's World of Books (10th & Burnside). There is a famous hotel across the street from Ken & Zukes that I can't remember the name of. Ken & Zukes has a new location inside PDX if you want to try the food coming or going.

I think a fun thing to do is the Epicurian Walking Tour of Portland. You will taste a variety of local restaurant foods and learn some of the history of the city. I like staying at Waterfront Marriott- or check out the Inn at Northrup Station. Check the Travel Portland website for events and other lodging options

The famous hotel across 11th St. from Ken & Zukes is the Mark Spencer. There are others that might suit your needs better including at least one with an indoor pool.

We venture to Portland often since we live just a couple of hours away.

For high end shopping, consider Bridgeport Village south of downtown Portland on I-5 by about 8 miles. And Washington Square in Tigard may also be worth your while. You'll need a car to get to either of these places. For boutique shopping, check out the Alphabet District (one of my favorite neighborhoods), as well as the Alberta District. Downtown, your best bets are Pioneer Place and the Pearl District.

For food, the options are endless. I can suggest:

• ¿Por Qué No? for killer tacos (try the Al Pastor tacos!) either on Mississippi Ave or on Hawthorne Blvd
• For the best BBQ this side of Texas, try Matt's BBQ on Mississippi Ave. Huge portions of Texas style brisket and ribs
• Pine State Biscuits for brunch in the Alberta District. This is straight up biscuits and gravy porn. Get there early to avoid the inevitable line around the block. They also have a location on Division St.
• Elephants Delicatessen near the Alphabet District. A large food market and specialty store specializing in deli-style fare. Has a pizza oven and a plethora of hot or cold items.
• Oven and Shaker. A favorite happy-hour go-to. Check out their Spicy Salami pizza that has salami and honey on it. Amazing.
• Mediterranean Exploration Company in the Pearl District. Brilliantly executed and elevated family style eastern Mediterranean dishes. It's under the same ownership as the famed Toro Bravo (which I have never been, but have heard great things).
• Tilt, for incredible inventive burgers in the Pearl District. Industrial style burger bar with cocktails and great tap list.
• Habibi Restaurant in Downtown. Fantastic Lebanese cuisine.
• Nong's Khao Man Gai on Ankeny St. This is pure comfort food. Get the Pork and Rice (Khao Kha), which is pork braised with coca cola, cocoa powder, and herbs and spices over jasmine rice. I cannot spend a weekend here without doing this once.
• For the best ramen in Portland, try Marukin Ramen, also on Ankeny St in the same building as Nong's Khao Man Gai. My big dilemma is trying to decide between this place and Nong's when I walk in the door.
• And for dessert, you are going to Salt & Straw. It's not a question as to if you're going, but when. This is ice cream where the taste meets the legend and hype. It's amazing.
• If you venture to Tigard for some power shopping, I do recommend Mugen Noodle Bar. Hands down the best ramen I have ever had.
• And, if you're looking to get off the beaten track, head to Beaverton for some amazing Korean food. This is an ethnic community due to the high number of tech jobs, so some of the best Vietnamese and Korean food in all of the Portland area is found here. Beaverton also has a really nice farmer's market on Saturdays.

If you are staying in Portland proper, you will not need a car. The MAX light rail will get you pretty much everywhere in the city. If you do go to Multnomah Falls, you should get a car. And I would recommend taking the Old Columbia River Highway (you can catch it in the town of Sandy about 20 miles east of Portland on I-84). If you do go, I would advise an early start. Multnomah Falls is INSANE on the weekends. The highway going through there connecting all the falls can be incredibly congested. I would also recommend you to stop at some of the other gems along the way, like Bridal Veil and Latourell falls. If you did that in the morning, you could be back in Portland by afternoon.

Other recommendations:

• Powell's City of Books. You simply must. It's touristy, but I still love coming here.
• Mississippi Ave is a great southern-themed drag to find some great drinks, breweries, or catch a show at Mississippi Studios. Prost! is a cool spot for some hard to find German beers and for a selection of great food carts (including Matt's BBQ mentioned above)
• Hawthorne Blvd is a fascinating neighborhood with quirky and hipster coffee shops, markets, vintage clothing, music stores, great food options.
• If the Thorns or Timbers are playing (Portland's women and mens pro soccer teams), this is a worthwhile experience. IMO, attending a game at Providence Park for a soccer game is quintessential Portland.
• Hiking in Forest Park up to Pittock Mansion. This is one of the best views of downtown Portland, and there's a hiking trail that leads up to it if you really want to experience one of the best urban parks in America.
• One of my favorite neighborhoods in Portland is Ladd's Addition, which is Portland's oldest residential neighborhood with, and it has a stunning rose garden if you're visiting in late spring or summer. If you're walking Hawthorne Blvd, you can easily detour into Ladd's Addition.

I could go on all day with recommendations, but with only a weekend, this should get you started. Sadly I don't have any hotel reservations, as we typically day trip to Portland or stay with friends. I hope this inspires some ideas. Have fun!

Not trying to pry, but do you have an idea of your actual schedule? From other posts it looks like you're coming from southern California, so when you say a "weekend," do you mean something like arriving on Friday night and leaving on Sunday night? Or arriving Saturday morning and leaving Sunday night? I ask because Portland is packed with things to see and do in the city, but the countryside just outside the city, especially the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River Valley and Mount Hood, is - in my view - even more awesome. So a few hours here or there could make a huge difference, but it depends on your tastes.

I can't comment on hot restaurants - the list constantly changes and again, much depends on your tastes. Portland was an early center for the whole food truck explosion and there are still many of them around. But it's also a center for craft brewing, designer coffee (rivaling Seattle and maybe ahead) and the Hood River area is increasingly a big wine center. You could - with enough time - spend a day in Portland proper and a second day noshing and sipping your way through the impossibly gorgeous Columbia gorge, mixing vista points and waterfalls with wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, and old fashioned diners and drive-ins. https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-rest...er-gorge-guide There's also an outlet mall in Troutdale, at the head of the Gorge (and close to the very fun McMenamins Edgefield, worthy of a visit if not a stay. https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield )

Or stick to Portland city and Uber yourselves around. https://pdx.eater.com/2017/9/13/1607...city-guide-pdx Downtown Portland is very walkable (one reason is that the gridiron block layout uses shorter blocks than many other cities) and there's decent public transportation within the core. Getting outside the core, the public transport network is adequate, but for some of the foodie districts a car is likely to be more useful. You might also think about staying outside the core if you plan to move around the region; downtown hotels can be pricey in the high summer. Another fun hotel/brewery/movie destination is another McMenamins property, the Kennedy School, located a couple of miles from downtown, but with decent access around the region. https://www.mcmenamins.com/kennedy-school

But clarify the amount of time you have as much as possible, so recommendations can be a little more focused.

Another vote for the Saturday Market. That has been a favorite of mine for over 30 years. Bridgeport Village is a great shopping center (I was just there one Sunday) and is right off the freeway so super easy access and does not take long at all from Portland. There are a coppice of food kiosks there that are offshoots of the food carts that you find in Portland. Two of my favorites here are Koi Fusion and Ugly Fish. If you want outlets, head to Woodburn for the largest options. Multnomah Falls is beautiful, but the lots fill up, so go EARLY. The largest lot is right off of I-84 and you exit left coming from Portland, but there is a very small lot along highway 30 right adjacent to the lodge. Even the big lot routinely fills up by mid morning, so that is why I mentioned to go early.

thank you so much for all your feedback. I truly appreciate it. Definitely a big help in my trip planning!

Hello. If your trip can happen, the Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, Washington Park and the Zoo are great places to visit. All reasonably close to downtown Portland. If you only go to the Japanese Garden and the Pittock Mansion the beauty of the two attractions is worth it.

Currently the TriMet transport system is still operating. Only 10-15 people are allowed on a bus and on a reduced schedule. The MAX red line is only going as far east as Mt. Hood Avenue and not to the airport.
Hopefully the city and TriMet will get back to normal by July.

Not to be a party-pooper here... but I think you need to check in closer to your travel dates to make sure the city is fully or mostly opened up again. I know here in Seattle many summer events are being canceled as we go along.

I agree with size. Definitely have a plan B and even a plan C. If this were my trip, I would reschedule for next year. Normally Portland itself is easy to do in just 2 days, but with the changes going on, you won't be able to do that.

I wish I THOUGHT I could go to Portland in July, I really do.

You can go to Portland even now. Most restaurants are either closed or drive thru/curb pickup only. The Doubletree by Hilton is open with rooms available in the $120/$140 range. If you can't get a flight, you can get there on Amtrak.
I am hosting a geocaching event in October. Geocaching is 20 years old as of May 3. The first geocache was hidden in Oregon by Dave Ulmer.

The OP hasn't been back since March 6. I'm not sure if they are still planning to go or if they've seen these latest posts.